FOR SALE

1990/H Rover Metro 1.4 GS: Rare luxury flagship model of the original Rover Metro line up finished in the ultimate colour scheme of British Racing Green with opulent Stone Beige leather upholstery.

Factory original car, low mileage, low owners and FSH. This car cost close to £11,000 in 1990 which was a substantial sum indeed as one could buy two entry level 1.1C Metros for the price of one GS. While I would not give a 1.1c a moment's consideration however, a 1.4 GS is a special Metro - and this one of mine is the only one I have seen in the metal, and I am a life long Metro aficionado.

Rather than the later and more commonplace GSI Metro, this GS benefits from the faster and more charismatic 1.4 carburettor K-series engine with no catalytic convertor to stifle its oomph, the performance is superior to that of an MG Metro and the GS is more frugal, substantially more refined and so much more pleasurable to drive with its super slick Peugeot-derived 5-speed transmission - world's apart from the whining and recalcitrant in-sump 4-speed 'box from the Austin Metro.

The last two keepers have owned this Metro for a decade each and it comes not only with a fully stamped up service book but a dossier of invoices, all its original booklets, an original Rover Metro sales brochure, separate Rover "Colours & Interior Trims" brochure and a selection of contemporary road tests when the "Metromorphosis" Rover Metro was revealed in 1990. The spare wheel and tyre have never been used and there is the full array of original tools and jacking kit. One key operates all door locks and there is a spare too. HPI clear with certificate.

I have had my specialist perform a major engine service including fitting a new timing belt and water pump, new HT leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, rocker cover gasket, Bosch battery. New front brake discs and pads, new rear brake drum linings and cylinders as well as new brake fluid. As the car is so rare I also had a brand new clutch kit fitted.

The car is a delight to drive and really is a spirited and zingy motor and having such a well executed luxury interior (Rover really did excel in producing beautiful interiors) makes the driving experience all the more pleasurable.

If you have only sampled the original A-series Austin Metros then you are in no place to judge the K-series Rover Metro which was a revelation. This is a modern, light-weight and very efficient engine and is robust and reliable and really can be run on a shoe string.

The Achilles heel of the Rover Metro is rear wheel arch corrosion, I have had the OSR wheel arch professionally replaced as it had been filled over the years and needed properly sorting. I have had £750 of professional bodywork rectification carried out as the car warranted it I felt and I now believe this to be the best surviving example of the super rare GS edition.

The car sports Rover-approved Dunlop SP30 tyres all round and the smart wheel trims are absolutely as new with no kerbing rash. I have thoroughly detailed the wheel wells and floor pan so the car is as near as dammit in show condition, it is incredibly smart and thoroughly resplendent in all aspects

As the price of really shabby MG Midgets and Triumph Spitfires and other crusty relics go up, the humble Metro is really catching on as a viable and more practical alternative to those wanting a beginner British classic, and this "best of breed" Rover Metro GS is an excellent buy. Prussian Blue and Granite Grey leather interior were also available but it is this Stone Beige interior that creates the biggest impact, looking so tasteful and classy and complementing the beautiful British Racing Green coachwork so magnificently, and naturally it is this beige cabin that features in the original Rover Metro brochure.

Currently owned by a fastidious car collector in Ireland, who has bought both a Mercedes 500 SEC and Porsche 928 from me, this genuine low mileage Turbo R has a FSH and has been meticulously maintained from new and must not be confused with the cheapy and scruffy specimens on Ebay and the like. This car has had money spent on it when it has been needed as well as pre-emptive maintenance, such as recently having the rear windscreen removed, the first signs of corrosion professionally removed, and re-fitted with a new genuine rubber seal. These huge old bruisers had their bodyshells built by Standard Car Bodies in the West Midlands and they suffer from rampant rot if not cared for. So this is insurance that the new keeper won't need to tackle this known troublespot area. Similarly the fuel injection ECU was sent away to the USA for a professional rebuild.

In 1991 "Car" magazine pronounced the Turbo R to be "The Best Car in The World", having successfully triumphed over the then spanking new W140 Mercedes 600 SEL V12 48 valve (408bhp), ...the Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign and Lexus didn't even come close! In 2005 this Turbo R is still a magnificent beast and is an absolute joy to be at the helm of, seamless brute power when you put your foot down and serene cruising when you desire... in the driver's seat, at almost Range Rover seat height, you certainly feel that every journey is an occasion and look down smuggly at the humdrum saloons you effortlessly despatch...

In addition to its low mileage and excellent provenance, this particular Turbo R is special as it is finished in a smart & contemporary colour scheme - - I am not so keen on the common Balmoral and Brewster Greens - - the Rhapsody Blue is a stunning colour and is complimented by a subtle silver sports coach line.

The genuine Bentley 17-inch Continental R alloy wheels not only look far more attractive than the ugly 15-inch "turbine" original wheels, but offer a better choice of tyres too, and more modern tread patterns too, you are not limited to ditch-finder Avon Turbospeeds that were designed in the 1980s as you are with the standard 15-inch wheels.

Furthermore the interior is wonderful, the leather is smart, the copious amount of walnut trim is mirror perfect - no lifting of lacquer anywhere. The first thing one notices when climbing aboard this Bentley is the delicate and sweet aroma of the leather - - leather covers everything that isnt wooden, headlining, sun visors, dashboard, even the glovebox is leather lined! The car drives superbly, as one would expect from a low mileage and fastidiously maintained specimen. Everything works perfectly including the air-conditioning system and cruise control.

It comes with its original complete toolkit, the original top of the range hi-fi system, and naturally the owner's wallet is present and correct with the stamped up service book and every manual and booklet that came with the car when new. An original 1989 Bentley sales brochure is included in the sale.

I will have an annual service carried out prior to sale. No Bentley can be run on Mondeo money, but if you buy prudently you should need only budget £1000-£1500 per year for maintenance - - and it is definitely worth it, such is the pleasure one derives from driving such a bespoke and exclusive motor car.

The bodywork has just been subjected to a £2000 refurbishment and the car now looks utterly resplendent, the distinctive private number plate and the striking wheels mean that this car looks much more up to date and eye-catching.

A rare opportunity to acquire a stunning and cherished Turbo R in a beautiful colour scheme and utterly factory original.

Forget those new £120,000 VW-Bentley Continentals, leave those to the footballers and buy a proper Bentley for a fraction of the price. A classic Turbo R will always be the most impressive and classy car when drawing up at a relative's wedding or a friend's summer party.